Gorge Wedding
There’s a strange energy in the fall, a sort of excitement and whimsy. Changing leaves and changing trends. Weddings are undergoing a make-over in 2017. Couples are marching to the beat of their own drum down the aisle, ditching old formality and reinventing their perfect day, how gorge of them?!
The 2017 wedding is all about bringing it back to nature. Natural or found items bring a subtle elegance. For smaller venues leafy branches take your guest's eyes up creating the illusion of a larger space, tall candles or candelabras provide a more formal look. Add lighting to branches, bringing them to life. Burlap and soft white add a touch of warmth keeping with that natural feel.
Wine and Burgundy are reigning supreme in the 2017 fall color palette. Burgundy, not your color? Don’t worry. Muted colors like mauve, dusty blue, aubergine and navy are also making a splash this season. Accent with soft pastels and metallic for a more classic feminine touch, or try copper and rose gold if you’re more likely to push trends.
Wooden crates and wine barrels can be used to define spaces and when embellished with beautiful floral pieces, you create a rustic elegance ideal for fall weddings. Pumpkins, squash, and gourds can be used to create walkways and to add additional pops of color. Or if you prefer a more muted or monochromatic color theme, paint the produce white or metallic, for a formal yet natural feel. Pick them up at any of your favorite fruit loop locations.
Sticking with the spirit of the outdoors, floral is a crucial part of the 2017 fall wedding. Eucalyptus, eucalyptus, eucalyptus! It’s everywhere this year. It’s whimsical, it’s fresh and it adds a quintessential touch of nature to bouquets and centerpieces. Foraged and seasonal take center stage in this floral play, with colorful sprigs of berries and thistle bursting with color against galvanized containers. So many of these beautiful floral options can be found right here in the gorge.
Throw out the fondant and sugar flowers, fresh flowers are all you need. Translucent cakes are key. Take a step back frosting, it’s all about that fluffy, moist interior. Caramel drizzle or dustings of chocolate or cinnamon highlight tall tiers adorned with beautiful floral designs. Add additional dessert options for your sweet-toothed guests. Cookie bars and assorted desserts are simple, delicious and create a visually engaging piece for the reception. Let us not forget pies! Fall is pie season after all. Apple and pumpkin pie create that cozy fall feeling. Mini pies are cute and easy for guests to snack on throughout the night.
The era of stuffy dining is over. Receptions are all about the party now. Buffets and food trucks are fun and provide a simple way to dine at the guest’s leisure. It’s a great way to showcase a couple’s personality. There are food trucks all over the gorge for hire, as well as amazing catering to create a mouthwatering buffet spread.
Leave the colorful drinks in the summer. With all the award-winning beer and cider in the gorge at our fingertips, a craft beer or cider bar is an obvious winner! Supplement with fall-themed cocktails like a caramel apple sangria or gorge grown apple sangria. These tasty drinks are perfect for the cocktail hour preceding the ceremony. For couples hosting an outdoor ceremony, keep guests warm and happy with a hot apple cider or coffee bar, inclusive of spiked ciders and Irish coffee of course.
Wedding costs pushing back that new mountain bike purchase? Time to replace that patched kite? Ask for money to put toward them! Forget about the new dish set. Couples are asking for what they really want in their registry. Want a honeymoon but, can’t afford one? Ask for money to put toward your dream honeymoon and make it happen! Maybe you don’t need anything. Ask guests to donate to your favorite charities, it will feel good and help out a great cause.
Let’s be honest, everyone’s favorite part of a wedding is the bridal fashion—and this year trends are all over the map. Streamer sleeves, wispy feathers, and bridal capes were prevalent on the runway at Bridal Fashion Week. Even the most simple silhouettes were adorned with plumes or lace sheaths—adding both dimension and visual interest. Necklines couldn’t seem to find a middle-ground either. It seemed most dresses either featured a de-eeee-ep, plunging v neckline (worthy of two-sided tape and certain to add sex appeal) or a high, scalloped collar perfectly complimented with statement earrings and an updo. Whatever fashion trend you choose to follow, it’s important you feel confident—because truly a bride never looks more beautiful than on her wedding day.